Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-04-01

"Thrue for We, my darlint; ye've always
been o Jewel of a child to your ould
mother. and it's not long I'll be here now
to trouble ye; but afore' 1 go, Denny,
there's one small matter lies heavy on my
heart" And here she paused a moment to
take breath.
"Perhaps it's the priest we're wanting?"
inquired Denny.
Sierra a lit, for he's been here to-day,
we know, and I've made my sowl, and that's
all done; but, Denny. I should like to see
my grave dug in yon blessed church-yard
afere die, so that I might be sure of the
spot where my bones shall rest in peace
among the saints"
This appeared 10 Denny n somewhat
strange fancy; but he was too good a son
to thwart the whims of q dying mother; 81
lie promised her that the grave should be
dug early OF the ensuing morning, within
sight of the very spot where she was now
lying SO that she might look out through
the door upon her future resting-place.
Pacitied by this assurance, the old woma
consented to lie down quietly, and try to
get SONS rest.
Denny rose early on the following morn
ing. aud, leaving her asleep, fastened to
fnliil bis promise. The grave was dug
c:osc 10 IN ancient tree, which, from its
| great age, was deemed almost sacred in tho
neighbcrhood; and Denny returned home
with the satisfactory conviction of having
faithfully fulfilled his parents latest
wishes.
A CLEAN Of JOY lighted up the withered
features of Honor O:Donoghoe, when
Denny informed her that the grave had
been dug according to her desire, in st.
Anni's churchyard; and in the hottest
spot in the whole churciyard," added be,
with an air Of exultation; list alongside
of the awncient tree"
"Ah, then, it's you hat have ever been
a kind and dutiful child 10 yer oula mother,
and may ten thousandblessings be powered
on Yer head fer the same when l I'M dead
and gone! But, Denny, jewel" added she
in a low and wheedling tone, "there's wan
thing more We must do fer me, and that's
the very last throuble I shall give We upon
this %airtll."
"Sure, mother, We know 1 won't deny ye
anything in life 1 can do to comfort we.
What is it, then, ye are after wanting now?"
"Och!-a thrihe-only q thritle. I've II
%oonsate that my bones would lie more
peacefully in that grave if I could only say
my prayers in it afore I die.n
."Say Yer prayers in It'll" re-echoedD Denny,
with a look of astonishment. "Are We in
Yer right sinses, mother? I'm afraid ye're
wandering"
"Iroth. I'm as right in my sinses as I
was this day thirty years when I brought
yerself into the world, and fer the memory
of that day yell not refuse me now my
| petition"
And what is it We want me to do?"
"Jist to carry my old body wrapt up in
the blanket to the grave we've dug yonder,
and let MI pray in the narrow bed We have
prepared fer me. It will not then seem so
strange-like when I nm laid within it after
my death; and it will be a blessed thought
for We that yer ould mother is lying there
in satisfaction and peace"
This desire of the old dame seemed to
Denny a most ~unaccountable whim; but he
resolved not to balk her fancy; and wrap
ping her up tenderly in a blanket, carried
her across the road which lay between their
cabin and the churchyard. Entering the
sacred precincts, he approached the new
made grave and gently deposited his burden
within its narrow bounds.
"My blessings on yer head for bringing
me here!" said the old woman, while an
unnatural expression of joy and triumph
once more cleaned across her c~onntenance
And now go home, my darlint, and lave
me alone fer half an hour or so, that l may
say my prayers in pace; and afther that,
sure, l can lie down upon my bed and die
without wan thing in the wide world to
throuble me-" 10
Denny, in obedience to his mothers
wishes, retired from the grave and returned
to his home. where he began his morning
meal Of potatoes, seasoned with salt and
hunger. AS he was peeling one carefully
with his thumb and forefinger, SO as not to
break the polished surface, it suddenly oc-
cured to him that his mother might possi-
bly, grow faint while lying thus alone in
her grave; SO he resolved to cross over the
road and take a glance at her without dis
turbing her devotions. Accordingly he
climbed noiselessly up the hedge by which
the churchyard was bounded, and looked
%anxiously toward the spot where he had
left his mother. Great was his astonish-
ment on perceiving that the old woman, in
stead of being engaged in prayer, was busy
roofing up a corner of her destined grave.
At first it occurred to him that she must be
in some kind of fit, and he was on the
point of leaping over the hedge to offer her
his aid, when he observed that she glanced
anxiously around the c%hurchyard, rs if
fearful of being detected in her occupa-
ton. Denny's reverence for his parent
prevented his attempting 10 intrude upon
her privacy; SO he returned to his cabin,
bewildcred and perplexed by what be had
seen.
At the time appointed by Mrs. O'Don-
oghoe, her son rctraced his steps to the
grave, and found her lying wrapped up in
her blanket, apparently tranquil and COM
posed. AS he raised her up in his arms and
was bearing her away from her resting
place, he observed her casting an anxious